Submarine vessel



G. E. HOFFMAN.

SUBMARINE VESSEL. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, 1916.

I .0 #v m a m n c b Q m w m u n 0 v a A m m m 2 d m 9/; 0 m 3 G 9:7 5 6 I 7 I 2 P 0 4 a r J 5 v 4 a 4 0 0 w 2 A v U m U m l 2 7. A a W C H m H III J H u rl u wlll ill'l II. II it a 0 m G. E. HOFFMAN.

SUBMARIINE VESSEL.

- APPLICATION FILED ocr. 24.1916.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919,

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I 9 anuewl'wc 4 tic mama ED STATES ATNT OFFICE.

GEORGE EARL HOFFMAN, or PENSACOLA, FLORIDA.

sunmnm vnssnn. A

To all whom it may concern:

Be it'known that I, Gnonon EARL Horr- MAN, a citizen of 'the United States, residin at Pensacola, in the county of Escambia an State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Submarine Vessels, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying sheets of,

drawings, is a full, clear, and concise description thereof.

The present invention relates in general and its method of employment are matters of common knowledge, especially asadapted for submarine purposes, and as is well known the periscope is usually of a tubular construction having an ocular member embodied in its head. The tubular portion of the periscope must necessarily extend downwardly into the interior of the submarine I vessel and is of a rigid construction forming substantially an inte ral art of the conning tower of the vessel 811(181 the present methods of construction and modes of operation of submarine craft, it has been found that one of the most vital defects, serving to -limit the usefulness of such craft, has been in-the vulnerability of the periscope. This element must necessarily protrude above the surface of the water when it is desired to take observations while the craft is submerged and presents a fair target for shell fire. Owing to its rigidity and its formation as a substantially integral part of the conning tower, if the projecting portion of the periscope is struck by a shell and blown away, the submerged vessel must either at once rise to the surface or founder by reason of the water entering through the conning tower at the opening left by the destruction of the periscope. It will be readily understood from the foregoing that the necessary exposure of the periscope and the comparative ease in rendering a submarine how's 'de combat by its destruction has presented a serious problem in utilizing submarine vessels for offensive purposes, particularly in making attacks in well-guarded waters.

The principal object of the present inven- Specification of Letters Patent.

tion is to overcome or eliminate the disadvantages and dangers heretofore pointed out with relation to periscope construction as it now exists and to provide an observation element of such a construction andmode of operation as will render it possible for a submerged vessel to continue 1n active service af ter the destruction of its periscope. This is accomplished by providing for the v substitution of one periscope after another as they may be destroyed, whether the vessel is operating submerged or awash, without in any way affecting the serviceability or efiiciency of the craft and its crew.

. A further object of my present invention is to provide a periscope sectionally constructed which may be automatically or manually elevated or lowered with dispatch and a minimum amount of power, and in Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

Application filed October 24, 1918. Serial No. 127,361.

which the ocular or head member is detach- "able from the supporting or main portion of the device to permit of the substitution of one head member after another as the necessit may arise.

y invention also comprehends an improvement in periscope construction, as here'- inbefore pointed. out, in which the ocular or head portion is automatically detached from the supporting part upon the former being rendered unserviceable, regardless of the position of the vessel on which the periscope is carried, means being provided to coiiperate with the observation element and its operating mechanism to effectively seal the periscope tube when the ocular member is detached therefrom, so as to prevent the inflow of water to the interior of the submarine when the vessel is submerged.

My invention furthermore contemplates means and mechanism for detaching the ocular member from its support by releasing stored or controlled energy to act thereon in such a manner as to efl'ecta rapid, or sudden movement of the said member in an upward direction, virtually resulting in the expulsion of said member, so that it will be thrown clear of the contiguous parts of the su porting structure and vessel.

n addition, my invention is designed to rovide means which will automatically ction upon the expulsion of the ocular member to close the opening thereby created and prevent the entrance of water to the interior of. the vessel, said means being so arranged asto cooperate with an ocular member, which may be substituted for that destroyed, to maintain the seal during the operation of effecting the substitution, while elevating the substituted member and when the observation member is in normal position.

Other objects and advantages of the employment of my invention will become manifest as the description proceeds and I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to any specific object herein set forth or to the detalls of construction and methods of operation of the various parts of my invention as herein shown and described, reserving unto myself the full rangeof equivalents in operation and structural" details to which I may be entitled under my invention in its broadest aspect, together with all uses wherein the employment of my invention may be found to be advanta eous.

I shall now proceed to vention with reference to the specific embodiment shown in the drawings, wherein I have elected to illustrate certain details of structure in order to aflord a clear and comprehensive understandin thereof, then point out with more particu arity the essential features or elements of novelty in the appended claims. f

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section of a portion of the conning tower of a submarine vessel and my improved periscope.

Fig; 2 is' an enlarged sectional detail of i the ocular member of the periscope and the cogperating sealing means for the periscope tu e.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing means employed for exlpelling the ocular member apd for locking t e latter in its normal position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, illustrating the relative position of the locking parts when the ocular member has been detached or expelled.

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the construction of the means for sealing or closing the opening inthe periscope-tube after the ocular member has been detached.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail of the locking and releasing means shown in Figs. 3 and 4:.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line A-A of Fig. 1, showing the apparatus for effecting the raising of the periscope members.

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of a modified construction of m invention, showing thei1 periscope in raise or normal position, an

Fig. 10 is a similar view, illustrating the relative position of the parts when the ocular rior to its elevation to its observation position.

Referrin :now to the drawings in detail, in which 1i e characters of reference are emescribe my in-' ployed to designate similar parts throughout the several views, 7 indicates the hull of a submarine vessel of the generally accepted type, which is provided with a conning tower 8, usually positioned amidship. 9 is an extension carried by the conning tower 8, which forms a housin for the periscope, consisting of the telescoping tubes 10 and the headpiece or ocular member 11, provided with a lens 12 and a prismatic reflector 13 which cooperates with a reflector (not shown) in the base of the periscope and the eyeglass 1 1. The specific construction and functioning of the means for transposition of the light beams are well-known in periscope construction and hence need not be exflange 15, to provide a seat for the packing 21. It will be observed from this construc- 'tion that these bearing surfaces provlde a most substantial support for the member 17, and by reason of their construction permit of the movement of the member 17 within the extension 9 with very little effort.

For elevating the periscope to the position shown in Fig. 1, I may employ compressed air or any other suitable power for the purpose. In the present instance, I admit compressed air to the cylinder 26 from a suitable source of supply 23, connected to the cylinder by the pipes 24: and 25,the flow of the air being controlled by suitable valves, such as illustrated at 27 and 30, whereby the pistons 26* and 26 may be raised or lowered, the air acting upon the opposite surfaces of the pistons in the well known manner. Connected to the pistons 26 and 26 are the rods 28 and 29 which are fastened respectively to an enlargement or shoulder 37 adjacent to the upper end of the topmost tube 10 and the telescoping member 17. It will, there fore, be obvious from the construction just described, that, as air is admitted to the cylinder 26 by the proper valve, the piston 26 will be forced upwardly, eflecting the elevation of the ocular member 11 by the extension of then telescoping tubes 10 to' ered by the actuation of the controlling valves, whereby the air will force the pistons 26 and 26" downwardly.

As before stated, one of the principal objects of the present invention 1s to provide for the expulsion of the ocular or head member 11 of the periscope in case of in jury thereto, as so to, maintain the vessel in service. To attain this end, the said ocular or head member 11 is formed with recesses 31 at its base to provide housings for a plurality of expansion springs 32, the upper ends of these springs bearing againstthe upper walls 33 of the recesses 31, while the lower ends abut against the shoulders 34 supported on a collar 35 surrounding the upper end 36 of the topmost tube 10. The base or lower end of the ocular member 11 is formed with an annular inwardly directed flange 38 which is adapted for engagement by the hooks 39, said hooks ,belng pivotally mounted at 41 on the collar 35, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and turned by triggers 43 engaging them at 40. It will be ap parent from the construction so far' described that when the ocular member is inserted so that the springs 32 will be under compression by abutting against the shoulder3 1 and the walls of the recesses 31, the heads of the hooks 39 will en age the flange 38 and firmly hold the ocul ar member on the seat provided therefor by the upper surface of the collar 35. Any'suitable number of the hooks 39 may be employed, but I have found it suflicient for my purposes to position four of them diametrically opposite to each other as shown in Fig. 7. Adjacent to the base of the ocular member 11, when in normal elevated position and locked to the collar 35, I form an annular recess 42 in the wall of the telescoping member 17 within which I position a plurality of spring pressed triggers 43 pivotally mounted in recess 42. Assuming that the ocular or head a member 11 of the periscope is destroyed, and

it is desired to eifect the substitution of a new member, the shoulder 37 is elevated through the medium of the rods 28, as heretofore explained, until the triggers 43 engage at 40 on the hooks 39, this rocks the hooks on their fulcrum points moving them to the position shown in Fig. 4, thereby throwing them out of engagement with the annular flange 38, whereby the expansion of the springs 32, which are held under considerable tension, will expel the ocular member 11 from the telescopingmember 17, suflicient force being exerted thereupon to throw it clear of all adjacent portions of the submarine vessel.

It is obvious that, if the submarine vessel is running submerged, as the head or ocular member 11 is expelled from the telescoping member 17, means must be provided to prevent the entrance of water to the interior of the vessel through the tubes 10 and the bore of the member 17 This is accomplished byv the employment of a plurality of closurestion 18 of the telescoping member 17 and consists of a plurality of segmental leaves or sections 44? adapted to be actuated by the sprlngs 45 to close and effect an overlapping o' the sections or leaves, so as to form a complete closure in the well known manner. As the ocular member 11 is expelled, these shutters, under the action of their springs as just described, close in sequence, the lowermost first and the remaining ones in rapid succession, thereby effectively sealing the orifice produced by the exit of said member.

To substitute an ocular member for that which has been expelled, the piston 26 is functioned to contract or telescope the tubes 10, so that the new ocular member may be positioned upon-and locked to thercollar 35 under tension in the manner heretofore described. It is obvious that when this substituted member is elevated to its normal position, that. during the elevating period and until it reaches such normal position, the entrance of water to the interior of the submarine must be ua-rded against, and I have found it desira le to make the top of the ocular member of a conformation such as illustrated in Fig. 1, comprising a plurality of zones of graduated circumferential areas and embodying perpendicular and in cl-ined surfaces such as indicated at 11 and 11. The leaves or sections of the shutters 46 are so formed as to register with the various zones of the top portion 11 of the ocular member 11, so that the inner peripheries of at least'two of the shutters, when in partially closed position during the elevating period, will be in close contact or engagement with a specific zone and absolutely pre-. vent seepage of water between the wall of the ocular member and the inner edges of the shutters bearing thereagainst. In the present showing, all of the shutters will, of

course, bear against the wall of the ocular whereby the number of shutters may be delar recess 18*.

creased, the principle of operation being, of course, the same as that described with reference tothe construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

When the ocular member is elevated toits normal position, and all of the shuttersare open, their inner peripheries abut agamst the wall of said member and an hermetic joint is formed between the wall of said member and the mouth of the enlargement 18 of the member 17 by the employment of suitable packing 18 positioned in an annu- For revolving or rotating the periscope so as to take observations from different points of the compass any ofthe well known means may be used, or this may be accomplished through the medium of a flexible shaft 47 connected to a pinion 48 meshing with the teeth 49 formed on the periphery of the c0llar 35, the lower end of sald shaft bein journaled in a suitable bearing on the brac et 50 and having a beveled gear 51 meshing with a beveled gear 5-2 keyed to a spindle 53 journaled in bearings 5% and 55 on the brackets 50 and 56 It is obvious that rotary movement may be imparted to the ocular member 11 by the rotation of the crank or handle 57 keyed to the spindle 53, the revolution of the ocular member being facilitated by the provision of suitable ball or roller bearings 58 on which the collar 35 is supported, these roller or ball bear ngs operating in a race within the enlargement or shoulder. 37 as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

It is manifestthat other means than compressed air may be used for elevating or lowerin the periscope, and its coiiperating mem ers, and that, in lieu of the springs 32 .I may employ other forms of energy for efiecting the ejection of the ocular or head member 11; also that other forms of sealing or closing means for the orifice left by the expulsion of the ocular or head member 11 may be provided and that the locking and releasing means for the ocular member may be so constructed as to be automatically operable upon the destruction of said member, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, which is broadly directed to the fundamental idea of having the ocular or head member of the periscope detach-' able from its supporting medium without affecting the efliciency of the submarine vessel'of which it normally forms a part.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to its adaptability to submarine navigation, my invention readily lends itself to application to various other uses, such for instance as a medium for taking observatlons on land, wlth especlal reference to the requirements of the so-called trench warfare,

Having thus described my invention, what I I claim as new herein'and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A perlscope having an ocular member formed with means for the storage of ener.

gy, whereby said member may be forcibly detached from its supporting medium.

2.'A periscope having a head member,

supporting means therefor, and 'means for.

locln'ng said head member in engagement 'withisaid supporting means, said locking 5. A periscope having a head member and supporting means therefor, means for normally locking said head member in engagement with said supporting means, means for actuating said locking means to efi'ect the release of said member from said supportingfmeans, and means for accelerating the supporting means.

6.":A periscope havin a head member, supporting means there or, said head member being detachably connected to said support ng means, and means for imparting a sudden movement of said member away from 211d. supporting means when detached there- 7 A periscope having a detachable head member, and means for applying a form of energy to said member to impart a sudden movement thereto in a direction away from its supporting medium.

8. A periscope havin a head member and disengagement ofsaid member from said a supporting means, an means for automatica y detaching said head member from said supporting means. a

9. In combination with a submarine vessel, a periscope having an ocular member, supporting means connected thereto and positioned within the vessel, means for detaching said ocular member from said supporting medium, and means for preventing the entrance of water to the interior of the vessel upon the disconnection of said member from its support.

sel, a periscope having a detachable head portion, and means for sealin the remaining portion of said periscope w en said head portion is detached therefrom.

11. In combination with a submarine vessel, a periscope having a detachable head 10. In combination'with a submarine ves- 7 V L is portion, and yielding means for effecting the sealing of the remaining portion of said .periscope upon the disconnection 'of said head member therefrom so as to prevent the entrance of water to the interlor of said vessel.

12. In combination with a submarine vessel, a periscope having a detachable head portion, and spring actuated means for efi'ecting the sealing of the remaining portion of said'periscope upon the disconnection of said head member therefrom so as to prevent the entrance of water to the interlor of said vessel. v I

13. In combination with a submarine vessel, a periscope having a detachable head portion, means for sealing the remaining portion of said periscope upon the disconnection of said head. portion therefrom, and

means for effecting the substitution of asecond head portion upon the disconnection of said first named head portion, theffunctioning of said sealing means to prevent the entrance of water to the inter1or' of I said vessel being constant.

14. In combination with a submarine vessel, a periscope having a detachable headportion, means for expelling said head portion away from said'vessel, means forsealmg said eriscope upon the detachment of said he portion, means for inserting a second head portion, and means carried thereby adapted to coeperate with said sealing means to prevent the entrance ofwater to the interior of said vessel u on the substitution of said last named he portion.

15. Ina periscope, the combination of a plurality of extensible members, a head portion detachably supported thereby, means for rotating said head member, and means for automatically detaching said head member from said extensible-portions andefl'ect- 7 ing a sudden movement thereof in a'direction away from its supporting medium.

16. In combination with a submarine vessel, a periscope having a detachable head portion, means for elevating and lowering said periscope, means for rotating said head a constant seal between said periscope and portion.

its supporting medium, said means bein operable to efiect the sealing of the emscope opening independently of said ead 17. In combination with a submarine vessel, aperiscope, means for elevating and loweringsaid periscope, an ocular member -t ions of said perisco member.

detachably connected to the extensible portions of said periscope, a telescoping support for said ocular member, said member slid- .ing within said support, and means for maintaining a constant seal between said telescoping member and said ocular member to prevent the entrance of water to the interior of the vessel, means for automatically releasing and expelling said ocular member from said telescoping member, said sealing means functioning independently of said ocular member and forming a watertight closure.

18; In combination with a submarine ves- .sel-, a periscope, means for elevating and lowering said periscope, a telescoping mem- .ber having bearings m a portion of said vessel, means for elevating and lowermg said telescoping member, an ocular member detachably connected to the extensible por- 1 in'g member upon the expulsion of said ocular member. a

19. In combination with a submarine vessel, a periscope, means for; elevating and lowering-said periscope, a'telescoping member havingbearings in a portionof said vessel, means for elevating and lowering said telescoping member, an ocular member detachably connected to'the extensible porand sliding within said telescoping mem er, means for rotatin said ocular member, means carried by sai telescoping member and coiiperating with said ocular member to seal said telescoping member against the entrance of water to the interior of'the vessel therethrough, means for detaching said ocular member from its support ,and'expelling it out of engagement with said telescopin member, and means automatically operab e to seal said" telescoping member upon the expulsion of said ocular'member, said latter means being formed to coiiperate with an ocular member during its movement to normal position to maintain a constant water-tight joint between 115 said ocular member and said telescoping GEORGE. EARL HOFFMAN. 

